Chris has a Mitsubishi 380, which is used for regular long trips but little else. His wife has a Skoda Yeti and he's impressed by its high seating position, good vision, power and the way it drives. He's thinking maybe he should get a near-new compact SUV of his own, but is reluctant to give up the Mitsubishi's long-distance comfort and quiet, and also mindful he won't get much money for it. What should he do?

The budget

About $24,000.

Advertisement

The shortlist

Chris could be right about his 380. They're a lot of car and great on the open road, but used prices are also rubbish. In pure cost terms, he's got more to lose than gain moving on to something else.

If, however, that money is there to be spent, there are benefits to moving on to something newer, such as more contemporary safety, his desired high seating position and potentially better fuel economy than his car's thirsty V6.

The trio we've assembled below, too, have plenty to offer in terms of open-road comfort and quiet, as much as you can expect of a compact SUV in this budget range.

2007-12 Honda CR-V, from $12,100*

A whole host of current-generation compact SUVs are just out of reach at this budget. Not just Mazda's CX-5 and Ford's Kuga, but the latest CR-V.

Given the first two aren't the smoothest-riding things around, they're no loss here. The current CR-V, an advancement on its predecessor for ride quality, back-seat space and standard kit, probably is. But the older Honda still has plenty to offer, including a highly functional cabin, good vision, assured road manners and a similar level of performance and economy from the mandatory 2.4-litre petrol engine.

2008-13 Subaru Forester, from $16,390*

This Subaru, also a superseded model due to budget necessity, goes that bit further in isolating occupants from poor roads than the Honda, and is pretty quiet, too.

There are other benefits. The back seat is a bit roomier, every model got the curtain bags/stability control combo right from the start, and a thrifty diesel is available - something worth thinking about for a distance-driving scenario if you can handle its manual-only status.

The Forester, though, is mushier to drive than the CR-V, feels cheaper inside, and the mainstream 2.5-litre petrol engine - while flexible - is noisier and further off the performance/economy pace.

An auto with only four speeds (the Honda has five) doesn't help.

2008-on Volkswagen Tiguan, from $18,150*

This Volkswagen shares a lot of its technology with the Yeti, but feels more polished thanks to a quieter, more supple ride.

It also feels more refined than a CR-V or Forester. Not because it's quieter than the former or cushier than the latter, but because it expertly combines both assets. A range of refined, highly driveable petrol/diesel engines bolsters the upmarket impression, as does the high-quality cabin and well-sorted handling.

The Tiguan's small boot, however, is a major shortcoming, while the mediocre standard kit, space-saver spare and (in petrol models) premium unleaded preference also sting.

The CR-V posts strong results in most key departments, mostly keeps its niggles to the outer and is wonderfully functional. It's this group's safest bet.

The Subaru and VW reach higher in some ways, but also have more fundamental blemishes.

The Forester has the occupant-isolating credentials to do real damage here, and a diesel option - two great assets for long-distance work. The latter, though, won't work if you need an auto, the mainstream petrol drivetrain is this group's wooden-spooner, and the cabin is perceptibly nastier than its rivals.

The VW? Well, it's a step above the other cars, but cruels its outright chances by not delivering on the core SUV promise of added functionality.

* Values are estimates provided by Glass's Guide.

35 comments so far

Oddly the benefits of the SUV are mostly urban, as the high seating position does assist in seeing what is going on. Mostly required due to the proliferation of other SUVs. Of course, greater ground clearance if you are driving on dirt roads, but that isnt the case here.

But in the country/long distance driving, there is no advantage and actual disadvantage to an SUV over a standard sedan or wagon. Why bother. Just get a Camry Hybrid. Its ideal for what you want. Or a Modeo diesel sedan if you want diesel.

Commenter

asdf

Location

Date and time

May 03, 2014, 10:42PM

IMHO, a wagon would be better than an SUV as wagons on road handling would be better; less body roll, quicker acceleration etc... all better things to have for city work

Commenter

Nick

Location

Date and time

May 06, 2014, 4:09PM

Agreed, why would you want an SUV for long trips? These things have poor aerodynamics due to their shape and therefore poor fuel efficiency at higher speeds in the case of long country drives. If you are not lugging a load (eg kids and camping gear) and not planning for mild off-road use then they make no sense out of the city.

Besides the basic 4 cyl petrol CRV, Forester, etc are gutless compared to the 380 (I know I have had both) and overtaking goes from effortless in the 380 to requiring a degree of care in the Forester. If you really must have one, then I would suggest a Subaru Outback (or perhaps even the riskier Skoda Ocatvia Scout) and preferably a diesel.

As a cheap to buy secondhand highway cruiser, the Mondeo diesel would make sense. They are almost as unpopular as a 380 with similar poor resale - but they would offer a similar highway cruising experience with reduced fuel costs. A Camry Hybrid makes little sense for highway driving where there are no stop-start benefits.

Commenter

Chico

Location

Adelaide

Date and time

May 06, 2014, 6:29PM

I perceive that Chris has a modicum of class so why on earth would he consider such a pathetic, bland, boring piece of nonsense as a (ugh!) camry? I'm unfamiliar with a Modeo diesel so I cannot comment

Commenter

Fred Bloggs

Location

Castlemaine

Date and time

May 06, 2014, 7:10PM

This is so true. Most ignorant posters rant about offroad vehicles in the city. The truth is very different. They are perfect for the city. In this case the buyer wants a highway car and should stick to a sedan.However before slashing his wrists and buying a Camry or Altima, he should aim for something with a modicum of personality.

Commenter

mojo

Location

Brisbane

Date and time

May 06, 2014, 7:30PM

Same old same old. The Hyundai ix35 or Kia Sportage poops all over these so called 'contenders' in every aspect.

Commenter

Kermit Jagger

Date and time

May 04, 2014, 8:17AM

They do no such thing. Attractive price wise and not terrible all round, but in the models mentioned in the article you will find better performance, fuel economy, safety, ergonomics, seat comfort, carrying capacity, fit and finish, NVH and just about any attribute that you care to mention. Not all in the same vehicle, but enought to show that your claim is far from correct.

Commenter

Andy Evans

Location

Little River

Date and time

May 05, 2014, 12:55PM

Kermit..... Yes I agree, I have a Sportage, cruising at 110 in silence, don't condone it but I have slipped upto 140-150 without noticing such is the silence of this car. Also get 7.5l/100km on runs, run tyres at 39psi and it flicks round roundabouts. Big boot too.

Commenter

Stevo the dilf

Date and time

May 06, 2014, 5:29PM

Well, naturally they poop all over the contenders because they're full of sh!t.

Commenter

Fred Bloggs

Location

Castlemaine

Date and time

May 06, 2014, 7:11PM

Just buy a Mazda6 wagon. Far more enjoyable to drive than any of the SUVs. Also better performance, better economy, more room, better looking, nicer interior, better handling. Need any more reasons?